A multiscale psychopathological-psychophysiological nexus in anxiety-related pathways

This review explores the intricate psychopathological and psychophysiological connections underlying anxiety-related behavior through a multiscale neuroscience perspective. Anxiety is conceptualized as arising from dynamic interactions among neural circuits, metabolic processes, and neuroendocrine systems that regulate stress and threat responses in both adaptive and maladaptive manners, thereby influencing vulnerability to psychopathology. Central to this framework is the bidirectional coupling of hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity with amygdala–hippocampal circuitry within forebrain threat-processing pathways, alongside modulation by the behavioral inhibition system. Dysregulation across these interacting systems provides a mechanistic foundation for the cognitive and behavioral manifestations of anxiety-related disorders.

Keywords:psychopathology, psychophysiology, amygdala, anxiety disorder, emotional disorders, regulation, fear responses, stress hormones, motivational system, behavioral inhibition system

How to Cite this Article
Lleuvelyn A. Cacha & Roman R. Poznanski (2026). A multiscale psychopathological-psychophysiological nexus in anxiety-related pathways. Journal of Multiscale Neuroscience 5(1), 1-11 https://doi.org/10.56280/1737108892

Authors Affiliation
Lleuvelyn A. Cacha
Graduate School, University of the East, Manila, 1008 The Philippines

Roman R. Poznanski
Bion Institute, SI-1000 Slovenia, EU

Received: 10 January 2026 
Accepted: 6 March 2026 
Online Published: 15 March 2026

Conflict of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest

Copyright: © 2026 The Author(s). Published by Neural Press.
This is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the CC BY 4.0 license.

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